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Human remains from wreck sites: a proposed policy for consultation

Submitted by Amanda Forster on Tuesday 26 November 2013

The provisions of the Burial Act 1857 (hereafter ‘the Act’) extend to the 12nm territorial limit adjacent to England. It is therefore unlawful to disturb burials within this limit without first obtaining lawful authority to do so. However, the wording of the Act appears to refer to deliberate burials.

This proposed policy seeks to bring human remains from historic wreck sites into line with the protection offered to deliberately deposited remains.

Below is the link to a first draft of the proposed policy. EH are inviting comments for consultation in order to produce a final version and we would be very grateful if you could provide any comments by Friday 13 December.